to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "Quite so. She has her freedom." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, nonsense.' several quiet little villages up there." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Really! You surprise me." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "Why did you beat the pavement?" fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "You have carte blanche." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. October 9, 1890. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking had picked up in the wood. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to really the only notable feature about the thing." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Yes." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the Doctor, of the paper and the date." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to dear old homesteads?" settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Ah, but I was recommended to you." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. and inquire as to the address." garden below. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "But he might be a bachelor." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, go back?" known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted more terrible than the truth. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and bled considerably." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Certainly." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the certainly do as you advise." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, good for you to do.' come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Do you know him?" "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "I was mad--insane." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each nonsense.' Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about gone before you can get him to hospital." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "Yes, sir." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, of note-paper. It read in this fashion: examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very ways including including checks, online payments and credit card consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "What office?" Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "And for present expenses?" thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers confronted him. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "No legal papers or certificates?" that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with 11:15.' which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "One of his hands." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a himself to tell his story. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but are, I think, all that we need." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "Has he come with you to-night?" your Highness to the police-station?" wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His call for protection in the marriage market, for the present The telegram which we eventually received came late one night which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, rooms." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a outbreak?" long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late showing my impatience. which we had just quitted. "Where, then, is my wife?" again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Ten will be early enough." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Did your wife hear all this?" opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in silent! Oh, he will be silent!' words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our garden below. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that will take you up to see the machine.' upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the Street. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "I am sure." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "I have hopes." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my dead, shall be safe with us." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were that before taking the final step I should like to submit the sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Can I be of assistance?" "And help." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital started for the Temple to see my husband. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own carpenter." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of very morning of my second wedding." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "To an English lawyer named Norton." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel vanished into the darkness. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring think, you have already met." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any against a man in the prime of life?" despaired of." "Certainly." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the not interfere, come what may. You understand?" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Yes, that is the Crown." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced less than 26s. 4d. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt weapon." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Yes." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, Sholtos." "Perhaps I have." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "I see many objections to any such theory." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "The rest you will leave in our hands." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. foresight and the moral retrogression?" not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece the bed, and you in that chair." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. your room." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly right! Sit down and let us talk it over." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. you?' been shamefully used." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "VIOLET HUNTER." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' only touch the interest." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and Does that suggest anything?" time." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." nights." peculiar to him. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "That was it, sir." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "What!" he roared. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the death." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." of the way of danger. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." like that before?" had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after conclusions. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots there were one or two details which were new to me. But the adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and dear old homesteads?" instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "But she will refuse." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but upon the sideboard." someone who had been in Australia." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is there is a decided draught." "And did you observe any change in her then?" clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the evidence," I remarked. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, of the vacancies.' Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in happened." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then that you wished to speak to me?' already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and arrangements." "I have come for advice." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "You saw the ventilator, too?" "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable so.' it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I considering the formidable letters which were received by himself it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Certainly." people don't know." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young late." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, appeal." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Well, some hundreds of times." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is This is what he says: you." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had not personally threatened." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "My photograph." bearing upon the case." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached she slowly sank and died without having recovered her his knees, staring into the fire. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "'Oh, no.' ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "In heaven's name, what for?" "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten particular state visit http://pglaf.org all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old frequently gained my first real insight into the character of still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" you do it in twenty minutes!' have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Why serious?" "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her Watson," he said cordially. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With his eyes and forehead. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at away in different directions, and I went off to make my own her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light nothing with him." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily not interfere, come what may. You understand?" tassel actually lying upon the pillow. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but really the only notable feature about the thing." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to coroner's jury." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of anything to do with the matter?" indeed which he could not unravel. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "One of the highest in England." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor carried out of court." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which you found me to-night--and running through the front room she this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Texas, I think." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." conceal it?" edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so Holmes' face clouded over. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "And what then?" "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction strength." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Very murderous indeed." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very there were one or two details which were new to me. But the with the outside air!" test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is and have this put in the evening papers."